Escalation Of Rocket Fire In The South

Rocket fire has greatly increased since Monday. Between Monday and Wednesday afternoon a total of 57 rockets fell into Israeli territory. On Monday, a rocket landed close to a Border Police vehicle wounding 11 border police. Hamas terrorist carried out the overwhelming majority of attacks. The change from their regular denial of responsibility to openly claiming responsibility is a significant change.

A week ago on the 16^th, two 122 mm Grad rockets were fired at Israel’s southern border with Egypt from the Sinai Peninsula. On Monday, a three-man terrorist squad infiltrated into Israel territory at the Israel/Egyptian border. They detonated an IED while attacking vehicles that belonged to some construction workers. They also launched a RPG and opened fire with light arms. An Israeli construction worker was killed in the attack.

Israeli Air Force carried out a number of counter-terrorism attacks which was followed by a massive barrage of rockets targeting the western Negev.

This morning at 0630, Sderot was awakened to the sound of alarms going off. The “Tseva Adom” was being heard all over town as the rocket barrage began. I awoke as the first alarm sounded and as my feet hit the floor, the first rocket hit with a thundering loud impact causing the windows to rattle. “That was close!” I thought to myself as I opened the bedroom door. As I stepped through the doorway, I heard the sound of two more rush by overhead and two more found their target. Two… three… four… five… rockets hit as the houseful of visiting friends and children gathered together. Adults trying to comfort the children while shielding them with their own bodies.

Ok, so this sounds like some scene from a movie… but it wasn’t. Over the next 45 minutes the scene was played out five more times. Each time the sound of impact sounded like it was just outside the outer walls. Each time, parents could be heard asking, “Where is Ezra?” or “Where is Gabriel?” as they searched the huddled children to assure all were there.

The morning’s rocket salvo left one man with shrapnel injuries to the neck and stomach, and many more were treated for shock. A factory and a school took direct hits, causing extensive damage. Approximately twenty rockets in less than an hour brought the total since Monday to 150 rockets.

“Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though

war arise against me, yet I will be confident… For he will hide me in

his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of

his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:3, 5